Chapter 2

Kagome is met with the sight of many stars and a natural scent. She quickly climbed up and looked around. It'd been years, but everything looked the same. The crops, homes, forest, everything looked fairly identical to when she left. She took a deep breath in and breathed out in satisfaction. This was home. The bag fell to the ground with a giant plop. She wondered what her mom stuffed inside. She sat on her bookbag and looked up at the moon. It radiated in the sky. Maybe he was there.

"Inuyasha!" She called out. If he was around, she had no doubt that he'd run to her. She'd run into his arms and they would leap through the trees like when she was a girl. "Inuyasha!" There was no response.

The lack of response didn't hurt her. It was a long shot after all. Almost five years passed. She wondered where her friends were. What adventures had they'd gotten up to in a few years. What did they look like now? Were they still fighting demons? Did they settle down? Did Shippo become a skilled fox demon? "Wow, it really is you."

Kagome turned to see a girl in her late teens sitting on a branch looking indifferent. Her chocolate eyes were like ice as she examined Kagome. The modern girl had changed. Kagome's hair was longer, shinier, and thicker, and she was wearing light blue jeans and a large fluffy white sweater. The stoic, indecipherable face sent a shiver down Kagome's spine; she knew whom it mirrored. The girl's cold mask slowly melted into a bright smile. "Hi, Kagome!"

"Rin!" She smiled just as bright. Rin swung down and ran up to Kagome. They were almost the same height. She hugged her then pulled away to get a good look at her. Rin was wearing a simple peach yukata, but being around Sango, Kagome could see and feel the outlines of a demon slayer outfit. "Are you a demon slayer now?"

Rin tapped her chin and thought about it. "More of a bad guy slayer. I've had to defeat more humans than demons."

Kagome laughed nervously. She wasn't expecting Rin of all people to be a mercenary. Would she have killed her if she didn't check out as Kagome? Thinking about it, probably not. The village was too peaceful for Rin to be an indiscriminate killer. Why was she fighting? Where was Sesshomaru? Where was Inuyasha? What happened to everybody?

"Do you protect the village on your own? How did you become a slayer?"

Rin smiled proudly. "Yep! I do, but Sesshomaru has already marked his territory around here so that's why I mostly fight bandits. It also causes lesser demons to pivot and go to other villages. I take responsibility because it's my fault in a way. Just like when you accidentally shattered the Shikon Jewel!" Ouch. Rin was too socially awkward to realize how her words could be perceived. Despite being left in the village, she mostly conversed with a curt Sesshomaru, a loud and somewhat rude Jaken, sweet Kaede, and Kohaku who was just as awkward. "Everyone misses you. Maybe not the demons, I don't think you were gone long enough for them to notice." Rin grew very excited. "Can we spare some time? You're so pretty and powerful. I want to be just like you, Sango, and Kikyo." Rin stood on her toes and whispered in her ear, "You are definitely the prettiest and most powerful. You're my idol!"

Kagome was touched, the alcohol made her want to cry. "Thank you." Perhaps some wounds from the past hadn't healed. She had always been compared to Kikyo and often it was how much she lacked. She grew to respect her soul sister, but it took time and maturity.

"What happened to everyone?"

Rin took a rock and let her sickle and chain fall to her feet. She hooked it at her waist and started walking Kagome to Kaede's hut. "I'm taking you to Kaede, but please don't wake her. She delivered two babies and had to purify a mole that ate an insect demon." Kagome giggled and was happy Kaede was still alive and doing what she loved. "Shippo comes and goes, but usually in disguise. I think I only spot him half the time", Rin pouted. "He's my rival."

Kagome laughed. It sounded adorable. "What about Miroku and Sango?"

"I don't know where the monk went, but Sango and Inuyasha have 2 or 3 pups now."

Kagome's stomach dropped. She was happy Sango had children, but wondered why Miroku abandoned them. She didn't think Miroku would do such a thing. Hearing Inuyasha had children broke her heart. She'd been frozen in place missing and wanting him. She hadn't even dated in the modern era. Her heart was never in it. "Inu-Inuyasha had pups."

"Yes, him and Sango." Kagome looked confused and hurt. "They had pups together. Twin boys; and Sango was pregnant when I last saw them.

Kagome felt dizzy and sat on the ground. She tried to be mature and remind herself she disappeared for years and had been eras away, but her heart didn't listen. She burst into tears and held her knees to her face muffling her sobs. Rin wasn't sure what to do. Her guardian hadn't been the most gentle nurturer. She tried to think of what Kaede would do and decided to bring Kagome tea.

Life for Kagome had become just as stagnant as when she was in the 21st century. She woke up in Kaede's hut, helped her with her chores, ate, sparred with Rin, slept and repeated. She was frustrated and becoming more irritable by the day. She was especially irritated at the energetic girl in front of her. She needed to land a hit!

Rin cartwheeled and threw her sickle at Kagome's feet, breaking her foundation. Kagome stumbled before falling back. Rin used the chain to pull herself into the trees and strike at Kagome before she could get up. Kagome clenched her teeth and did her best to get on her feet. "You can borrow A-un if you want," Rin offered.

That did it. Kagome rolled and shot an arrow into the trees. Rin hit it with her sickle. It ricocheted upward, but unnaturally aimed for her again. Rin's eyes widened and was pinned to the branch before she could jump away.

The slayer hung onto the branch with a pout. It mirrored a puppy being carried by the scruff from its mother. Kagome caught her breath and felt slight pride. She still had it. She started giggling, then Rin did; soon they were in full throws of laughter before Rin cut herself down. "You should've seen your face!" They said to each other.

Rin embraced Kagome, "I'm glad you're back." Kagome held the girl and for the first time in weeks, she was glad to be back too.

Life moves on.

The scent of dinner wafted through the forest. The men caught a huge batch of fish; the sea salt and spices made it smell heavenly. Kagome was about to ask Rin if she was ready for dinner, but the girl had disappeared into the forest most likely to find flowers for fun and tea. Since she could fend for herself Kagome didn't bother calling or looking for her. Plus, she'd worked up an appetite. The villagers were still elated to see her even though it'd been 3 weeks since her arrival. They eagerly shared everything. She had a large bowl of rice, fish soup, strips of fish, a few pastries, and some mead. Refusing made them feed her more! Although they weren't prominent members, she was fairly interested in the changes in their lives as well. The first few nights she told them stories of the future. It sounded fantastical, but it held everyone's attention. Now only children seemed to gather around.

That's when he saw her. The 20 year old was surrounded by children, as she told them about flying on a metal bird to go to a place called Canada. It was sunny, but cold. It had tasty food, people spoke many languages and looked different. Humans had white, yellow, red, brown and black hair naturally and dyed it whatever color they wanted. She told them people had skin pale as the moon or as dark as the sky. They looked at her with awe.

Sesshomaru guessed many human years had passed. He hadn't noticed of course. It was like he blinked, she was gone and now she was back. She was still strange wearing tight jeans and an oversized sweater. It reminded him of his tail. She must've spent a significant amount of time with his ward. Rin's scent was on her. He never noticed Kagome's natural scent before, probably because she'd been doused in Inuyasha's disgusting musk. He found it satisfactory. He'd say no more than that for a human. Her eyes locked onto his.

It was strange that she saw Sesshomaru before she saw Inuyasha. Her eyes went from shock to excitement. Sesshomaru hadn't changed at all. "Lord Sesshomaru! Long time no see!"

Kagome waves at him happily. He turned from her to find Rin. Kagome rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Jeez would it kill him to speak. If he had beads I'd make him, "Speak" instead of "Sit". Sesshomaru's eyebrow raised. This girl vexed him. He gave it no more thought and continued to find Rin.

Next Chapter: Inuyasha's presences is threatening the Wolf Tribe